There were only six games this past weekend with some teams not in action due to the international break where the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana played two international friendlies against Botswana and Zambia.
Among those in action was Durban Ladies, whose season is in a precarious position. Although it’s early days, the KwaZulu Natal outfit is facing their greatest challenge – the battle for survival. They have never been in this position since the formation of the South African elite women’s football league, the SAFA National Women’s League in 2019/2021.
The founder members of the competition are going through a bad patch, with no win in 10 outings in the current season and find themselves bottom of the 16-team table with three points from three draws.
On Saturday (31 May 2025) Durban Ladies lost 3-1 to the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies), almost cementing their place in the drop zone.
Gugu Dhlamini, Kabelo Mokoena and second half substitute, Ayesha Moosa found the back of the net for the students, while young sensation Sithole responded for the visitors.
Durban Ladies has never finished in the top six since the inception of the South African elite women’s football league. In the first year they were in the top 8 (7th), but dropped the next two seasons, finishing 10th in 2021 and 2022. There was an improvement in 2023 as they claimed the 8th spot. In the 2024 season, they experienced a lot of turbulence but survived relegation as they finished 13th in the 16-team league.
They are left with 20 games to complete the 2025 campaign – the question is will they be able to turn around their season and maintain their status?
LEAGUE POSITOIN FINISHES FOR DURBAN LADIES:
7th – 2019/20
10th – 2021
10th – 2022
8th – 2023
13th – 2024
Elsewhere there were three derbies on the go also this past weekend.
Ezemvelo Women’s FC triumphed in the KwaZulu Natal Derby as they defeated they struggling Royal AM 1-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium. In the Limpopo Derby, Copperbelt Ladies had the better of First Touch Ladies in a 2-0 victory at the Seshego Stadium, while points were shared in a goalless draw in the Varsity Derby between the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the visiting University of Pretoria (Tuks). The clash took place at the UWC Stadium in Cape Town.
In other results, the University of Fort Hare thumped Richmond United Ladies 3-0 at the Davidson Stadium in Alice, while at the Westbourne Oval in Gqeberha, City Lads Ladies were 1-0 winners over TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies.
The league action returns this coming weekend (7/8 June 2025) with all teams battling it out.
Six matches are scheduled for Saturday as reigning champions and current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns travel to Pietermaritzburg for a date with Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
At the Tuks Main Stadium, hosts University of Pretoria welcome Copperbelt Ladies; Richmond United Ladies entertain First Touch Ladies at the Merino Park Stadium in De Aar; and City Lads Ladies will face TS Galaxy Queens at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Mpumalanga.
There will also be two Varsity Derbies on the day – at the TUT Main Campus TUT Matsatsantsa will lock horns with the University of Fort Hare (UFH) while the University of Cape Town (UCT) will go toe to toe with the University of Johannesburg.
On Sunday, King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi will host a double-header where Durban Ladies will take on the University of the Western Cape (UWC) at 11am, while the clash between Ezemvelo Women’s FC and JVW will wrap the weekend at 3pm.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURES:
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Royal AM vs Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
Harry Gwala Stadium
Pietermaritzburg
1pm
University of Pretoria vs Copperbelt Ladies
Tuks Main Stadium
Pretoria
3pm
TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies vs University of Fort Hare
TUT Main Campus
Pretoria
3pm
Richmond United Ladies vs First Touch Ladies
Merino Park Stadium
De Aar, Northern Cape
3pm
TS Galaxy Queens vs City Lads Ladies
Kanyamazane Stadium
Mpumalanga
3pm
Saturday, 8 June 2025
Durban Ladies vs University of the Western Cape
King Zwelithini Stadium
Umlazi, KZN
11am
Ezemvelo Women’s FC vs JVW FC
King Zwelithini Stadium
Umlazi, KZN
3pm
By Matlhomola Morake
